Christmas Shopping in the Cairngorms

Shopping in a Winter Wonderland…

We have some super shopping options here in the Cairngorms National Park, the streets are jam packed with many independent retailers offering unique gifts and there are lots of the recognisable big brand names too. Enjoy your shopping under the twinkle of the winter street lights, find the perfect gifts and stock up on your festive dinner supplies. Check opening hours at individual shops before travelling.

Gifting

1. C. Nicol Bags, Grantown on Spey

Local Grantown on Spey designer Cathleen Nicol is inspired by the beauty found in the understated and creates bags to last a lifetime not just a season. You can get in touch to visit her showroom and make a shopping appointment.

2. Wood and Wool, Ballater

Visit the Wood and Wool Studio on Bridge Street in Ballater, renovated in 2021 and transformed into an amazing space showcasing Alan and Julie’s work which covers dining & coffee tables, handcrafted dolls, home decor, ceramics, paintings and textiles.

3. The Bookmark, Grantown on Spey

The Bookmark in Grantown is a treasure trove of brilliant books and the owner Marjory is a special asset with her friendly welcome and amazing knowledge. A fantastic place to pick up a book for a loved one with some insughtful guidance from Marjory.

Eleven 41 Gallery, Kingussie

The Eleven41 Gallery is the place to visit if you are in love with the Cairngorm National Park scenery. Give a gift that will keep giving with a print of a favourite view or pick up a 2025 calendar or Northern Cairngorms coffee table book.

Spey Valley Shopping, Aviemore

This huge shop in the Macdonald Aviemore Resort is home to some of the best luxury leading brands including Barbour, By Rebecca, Dubarry, Elemis, Masai, Marble and Neom Wellbeing. There is a gift for everyone here and they also have a chocolate counter, stock Christmas decorations and have a coffee house at the door for refuelling on your shopping trip.

The Speyside Centre, Dulnain Bridge

A destination in itself the warm welcome at the Speyside Centre makes for a lovely day out with some gifts, whisky and even a pet supplies area, followed by a visit to the cafe to sample their famous homemade clootie dumpling! You can even pick up a Christmas tree here in the garden centre.

Outdoor Shops

Braemar Mountain Sports

Braemar Mountain Sports has stores in Braemar, Ballater and Aviemore and caters for the outdoor enthusiast with friendly knowledgeable staff on hand whose playground is the Cairngorms National Park. The place to pick up a gift for the adventurer in your life with all the products tried and tested by the staff instore.

Tiso, Aviemore

This is a huge store catering for the adventure lover and you are sure to find something in here for the perfect Christmas gift. They also have a cafe upstairs where you can sit and look at all the very tempting new winter jackets and skis while you eat and mull over your next purchase.

Food

The Cheese Neuk, Kingussie

Maybe the tiniest shop in the whole of the Cairngorms but what it lacks in size it makes up on with flavour! An absolute gem for the cheese lover, the owner Lydie is French and brings a passion for good food to the Cairngorms. The perfect place to pick up goodies for a hamper or to buy some cheese for your Christmas meal.

The Farm Shop, Rothiemurchus

The Farm Shop at Rothiemurchus is a special place to visit. Brilliant for gifts alll year round, they stock all sorts of items including Christmas decorations and a whole room dedicated to greetings cards. Rothiemurchus is a working farm and the shop stocks their own beef and venison. They have an incredible cheese counter and a very local selection of Beer, Whisky & Gin. Supporting local producers there is bread, honey, vegetables, coffee and eggs and even kombucha created in Ballater. They also stock one of the widest ranges of culinary, speciality and “free-from” ingredients in the area.

Whisky Castle & Highland Market, Tomintoul

Stocking in excess of 600 malts, if your after whisky as a gift then a beautiful drive along the Snowroads is well worth it to get some incredible expertise to guide you in your purchase. The Whisky Castle has been selling the finest malt whiskies of Scotland from it’s premises in the quaint village of Tomintoul for over 120 years. You could also buy a tasting experience as a gift.

D Gilmour Butchers, Kingussie

Priding themselves in sourcing local, this award winning family butchers also offers an online shop. Also stocking venison from the surrounding estates. Get your Christmas orders in early for the big day.

H M Sheridan Butchers, Ballater

Trading since 1963 this award winning specialist butcher stocks meat from Aberdeenshire farms. H M Sheridan also supplies the Royal Family at nearby Balmoral when they are there. You can pop into the shop for your Christmas supplies or order online.

This is just a small selection of the shops we have here in the Cairngorms that stock some fantastic gifts for your loved ones. Many of the villages also put on a Christmas shopping day and there are also Christmas markets and fairs! Come and discover them for yourself.